Aib-lift pump



F. P. RUSI.

AIR LIFT PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2.1919.

PiltOlltUdSOlIt. 2, 1919.

I c 'jwuewboz Ti-anft P Ruai after/"e130 witwaoeo -FRANK P. RUST, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AIR-LIFT PUMP.

Specification 01 Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed June 2, 1919. Serial No. 301,159.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK P RUST, a citizen of the United States, residin at the city of Detroit, county of Wayne, tate of Michigan, have invented certamnew and useful Improvements in Air-Lift Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to improvements 1n air lift pumps.

The main objects of this inventlon are,

First, to provide an air lift pump of high eilicieney.

Second, to provide an air 11ft pump which is not likely to become clogged by sand, gravel or scale. 0

Third, to provide an improved air 11ft pump which is simple and economical in its parts and easily assembled and installed.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following description. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

Astructure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention, the well casing being shown in section.

Fig. II is an enlarged detail vertical central section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. III, the air t'ced pipe and drain pipe being shown in full lines.

Fig. III is a horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig.

Fig. IV is a detail vertical section correspending to Fig. II of a modified embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown only the foot portion of my im proved air lift pump as my present invention has to do only with that portion of the structure and may be used with heads and discharges of various types known in the art.

The well casing 1 is indicated conventionally and merely to show the relation of the we in use. The eduction pipe 2 has means for delivering air thereto comprising the cylindrical casing 3 having opposed threaded openings 4 in its ends. The casing 3 in the embodiment illustrated has a longitudinal enlargement 0 at one side having a threaded opening (3 at its upper end for the air feed or air supply pipe 7 and a threaded opening 8 at, its lower end for the drain pipe 9. These openings (5 and 8 are preferably in alinement for a purpose which will be pointed out later.

In the embodiment illustrated in detail in Fig. II, I provide a pair of venturi members 10 and 11 having threaded collars 13 threaded into the openings in the ends of the casing 3 so that the inner ends of the venturi member abut at 14. The abutting ends of the venturi members are preferably oppositely beveled to provide a seating joint so that their ends are held in alinement avoiding shoulders or offsets such as might occur from irregularities in the. threads or slight distortions in the castings. The outer ends of the venturi members are uniformly flared to the diameter of the ed'uetion pipe, the lower end 2 of the ednction pipe forming in effect a skirt or boot for the venturi. This portion is of substantial length, it being in practice preferably from five to eight feet long for a six inch eduetion pipe. The venturi members have air openings 15 which are preferably arranged spirally as shown in Fig. II.

In the modification shown in Fig. IV the openings 16 in the ends of the casing 3 are tapered to receive the tapered portions 17 on the venturi members 18 and 19, The barrel portion of member 18 extends the full length of the casing 3 and is externally threaded to receive. the member 19. the tapered parts being drawn together effectively closing the ends of the casing.

The air openings 15 of the venturi structure shown in Fig. IV are not spirally disposed but are arranged in rows to alternate to effectively distribute the air as it passes into the water. l v spirally disposing the air inlet openings 15 as shown in Fig. II. I find that the air delivered is automatically varied according to the variations in the static head and that the stream delivered is not pcrceptively varied by such variations or fluctuations oi the static head as ordinarily occur in the operation of pumps of this class.

The skirt. portion 2 of the eduction pipe tially unaffected by fluctuations in the statichead. The air is delivered to the water in the venturi, choke or restriction which is relatively short and so that the expansiontakes place immediately after the air is de livered. This expansion at this point results in a very intimate mixture of air and water, the air being finely divided and intimately mixed with the water so that the water is delivered without the forming. of air slugs or pistons, the air being apparently thoroughly and evenly intermixed with the water. This results in great efficiency, the slippage being minimized and a uniform flow secured.

The drain pipe 9 is, preferably arranged in alinement with the air. pipe 7 so that when the pump is stopped and the water surges into'the air pipe with the release of the air pressure, sediment such as sand, scale and gravel carried thereby is discharged through the pipe 9.

I have not entered into a discussion of the proper relation of submergence to static head and lift in order to secure the most satisfactory results-as such matters are engineering features. My improved air lift pump is simple and economical in its parts which are easily assembled and quickly installed and are very durable in use and not likely to become clogged by sand, gravel, scale, or the like. i

I have illustrated two embodiments of my invention which I find very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may. be desirable. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. In an air lift pump, the combination of aneduction pipe, an air delivering means interposed therein and comprising a cylindrical casingqnember having opposed centrally disposed threaded openings in its ends and a longitudinally extending enlargement at one sidehaving threaded openings in its ends, a pair of venturi members threaded into the said openings in the ends of said casing with their inner ends abutting, the abutting edgeshaving coacting bevels providing a seating joint, said members having air inlet openings within said casing, the outer ends of said members being flared to the diameter ofthe eduction pipe, there being a skirt portion of substantial length below said venturi, an air supply pipe connected to the opening of the upper end of said casing enlargement and a drain pipe of substantial length open at its lower end of an eduction pipe, an air delivering means interposed therein and comprising a cylindrical casing member having opposed centrally disposed threaded openings in its ends and a longitudinally extending enlargement at one side having threaded openings in its ends, a pair of venturi members threaded into the said openings in the ends of said casing with their inner ends abutting, said members having air inlet openings within said casing, the outer ends of'said members being flared to the diameter of the eduction pipe, there being a skirtfportion of substantiallength below said venturi, an air supply pipe connected to the opening of the upper end of said casing enlargement, and a drain pipe of substantial lengthopen at its lower end connected to said opening in the lower end of said enlargement in alinement With said air supply pipe.

3. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air delivering means interposed therein and comprising a cylindrical casing member having opposed centrally disposed threaded openings in its ends of the upper end of said casing enlargement,

and a drain pipe of substantial length open at its lower end connected to said opening in the lower end of said enlargement in alinement with said air supply pipe.

4. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air'delivering means interposed therein and comprising a cylindrical casing member having opposed centrally disposed openings in its ends and. a 5 longitudinally extending enlargement at one side having openings in its ends, venturi members disposed in the said openings in the ends of said casing, at least one of the members having air inlet openings within said casing, there being a skirt portion of substantial length below said venturi, an air supply pipe connected to the opening of the upper end of said casing enlargement, and a drain pipe of substantial length open at its lower end connected to said opening in the lower end of said enlargement in alinement with said air supply pipe.

5. In an air lift pump, the combination pipe.

interposed therein and comprising a cylindrical casing member having opposed centrally disposed openings in its ends and a longitudinally extending enlargement at one side having openings in its ends, venturi members disposed in the said openings in the ends of said casing, at least one of the members having air inlet openings within said casing, an air supply pipe connected to the opening of the upper end of said casing enlargement, and a drain pipe of substantial length open at its lower end connected to said opening in the lower end of said enlargement in alinement with said air supply 6. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air casing, a venturi comprising venturi members disposed through the ends of said casing with their inner ends abutting, said venturi having air inlet openings within said casing, the outer ends of said venturi members being flared to the diameter of the eduction pipe, there being a skirt portion of substantial length below said venturi, an air supply pipe connected to said casing, and a drain pipe of substantial length open at its lower end connected to the lower end of said casing.

7. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air casing, a venturi consisting of a pair of members disposed through the ends of said casing with their inner ends abutting, the abutting edges having coacting bevels providing a seating joint, said venturi having air inlet openings within said casing and an air supply pipe connected to said casing.

8. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air casing, a venturi consisting of a pair of members disposed through the ends of said casing, said venturi having air inlet openings Within said casing and an air supply pipe connected to said casing.

9. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air casing, a venturi consisting of a pair of members disposed through the ends of said casing, said venturi having spirally disposed air inlet openings within said casing and an air supply pipe connected to said casing.

10. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air delivering means interposed therein comprising a casing, a venturi having uniformly flared ends and a restricted portion of uniform diameter from end to end disposed with said casing, said restricted portion having spirally disposed air inlet openings communicating with said casing, there being a skirt portion of substantial length below said venturi, an air pipe connected to the upper end of said casing, and a drain pipe connected to the lower end thereof.

11. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, an air delivering means interposed therein comprising a casing, a venturi having uniformly flared ends and a restricted portion of uniform diameter from end to end disposed within said casing, said restricted portion having air inlet openings communicating with said casing, there being a skirt portion of substantial length below said venturi, an air pipe connected, to the upper end of said casing, and a drain pipe connected to the lower end thereof.

12. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, a venturi restriction interposed in said pipe having air inlet openings therein, an ai; supply casing surrounding said restriction, the parts being disposed so that the expansion to the fl ill diameter of the eduction pipe begins close to the point of introducing the air, an air supply connection to the upper end of said casing, and a drain at the lower end thereof.

13. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction pipe, a' venturi restriction interposed in said pipe having spirally disposed air inlet openings therein, an air supply casing surrounding said restriction, the parts being disposed so that the expansion to the full diameter of the eduction pipe begins close to the point of introducing the air, and an air supply connection to said casing.

14. In an air lift pump, the combination of an eduction ipe, a venturi restriction interposed in Sfll( pipe having air inlet openings therein, an air supply casing surrounding said restriction, the parts being disposed so that the expansion to the fail diameter of the eduction pipe begins close tdthe point of introducing the air, and an air upply connection to said casing.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK P. RUST. [1,. s.] \Vitnesses:

LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, MARGARET L. GLASGOW. 

